Choosing b/w Cartels/Union SL's/ Ride Maestro - Page 5 - Snowboarding Forum

Rookie09 · 02-19-2013, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrEwTiMe

Ok so she is all put together and I just have a couple of questions regarding the fit of the toe straps..

I have never had toe straps as my old bindings could be considered antiques at this point. The directions said it should be centered over the toe of the boot and I'm not sure if I have this right. I have also never encountered the lateral movement of the toe straps( forward/backward movement).

I left them where they were and here is how they look....Do these appear to be centered or should I make some further adjustments or move the lateral adjustments up further. Can I for example, move the latter strap forward while I keep the ratcheting strap back in terms of lateral adjustment?

It's hard to tell for sure with all the pictures being taken from the same angle, but it looks like it's set up correctly. You could maybe even slide the straps a bit further toward your toes, but the way you have it now is fine too, personal preferance. Also, how wide is your stance (from middle of binding to middle of binding)? It looks pretty narrow.

DrEwTiMe · 02-19-2013, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rookie09

It's hard to tell for sure with all the pictures being taken from the same angle, but it looks like it's set up correctly. You could maybe even slide the straps a bit further toward your toes, but the way you have it now is fine too, personal preferance. Also, how wide is your stance (from middle of binding to middle of binding)? It looks pretty narrow.

I mounted the bindings at 21 inches which is where the boards "center" is. I didn't mess with moving my stance in terms of forward or backwards since I don't' see too much powder. I took the pics from that angle because I'm just worried about the left/right positioning of the straps. If I took any other angle you wouldn't be able to tell at all if they are centered correctly no?

Rookie09 · 02-19-2013, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrEwTiMe

I mounted the bindings at 21 inches which is where the boards "center" is. I didn't mess with moving my stance in terms of forward or backwards since I don't' see too much powder. I took the pics from that angle because I'm just worried about the left/right positioning of the straps. If I took any other angle you wouldn't be able to tell at all if they are centered correctly no?

well the left/right positioning looks fine to me. and 21 inches is a pretty good stance, it just doesn't look that wide in the picture. must be the angle it was taken at.

Extremo · 02-20-2013, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrEwTiMe

Ok so she is all put together and I just have a couple of questions regarding the fit of the toe straps..

I have never had toe straps as my old bindings could be considered antiques at this point. The directions said it should be centered over the toe of the boot and I'm not sure if I have this right. I have also never encountered the lateral movement of the toe straps( forward/backward movement).

I left them where they were and here is how they look....Do these appear to be centered or should I make some further adjustments or move the lateral adjustments up further. Can I for example, move the latter strap forward while I keep the ratcheting strap back in terms of lateral adjustment?

Damn, I haven't seen boots like that in quite some time. They look pretty good. I woulnd't obsess about getting them centered. If you get any binding to center perfectly on a boot consider yourself lucky.

East§ide · 02-20-2013, 11:41 AM

The SL's ankle strap looks considerably nicer than the ones that were on my old Forces. I just picked up a pair of Restricted Re:Flex Cartels and couldnt be happier. The toe caps are amazing, you cant even feel the asym ankle strap and the responsiveness is insane.

Mel M · 02-20-2013, 12:26 PM

First, congrats on your SL. I'm about to put mine in an NS Raptor, so I'm about to be interested the same boat.

As far as your cap strap question... I own Union Atlases with similar straps and it really depends on your boot. With my Burton boot into had better luck centering it over my toe, so really it was more to the side . With my Salomon boot, I centered it over the boot itself. However, I still found it slipping off more than occasionally, which prompted me to get the Burton Gettagrips.

I heard the new SL line had stickier cap straps, so I hope that solved that problem.

UNION INHOUSE · 02-20-2013, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrEwTiMe

Well I caved, I may have ended up wasting money but I just bought the SL's for 270. Granted they are probably gonna be cheaper in a month but I was only able to find one store that had the M/L's in stock and figured I would have a hard time finding them in another month or so.

Many thanks to everyone who helped me I really appreciate all of your advice. I think I am gonna be pretty happy when these babies arrive!!

You'll be stoked for sure. Thanks for the support!!!

DrEwTiMe · 02-20-2013, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Extremo

Damn, I haven't seen boots like that in quite some time. They look pretty good. I woulnd't obsess about getting them centered. If you get any binding to center perfectly on a boot consider yourself lucky.

I know man they are just about 7 years old at this point

... Thats why I posted in the Boots section so I can get some suggestions on what boots to pick up when everything goes on "end of season" sale. I have a feeling my skills will jump considerably after I have gear that not almost a decade old!!!! The boots are the last thing to go thankfully!!

I think the fact that they are so old are attributing to the fact that I can't quite get them centered correctly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mel M

First, congrats on your SL. I'm about to put mine in an NS Raptor, so I'm about to be interested the same boat.

As far as your cap strap question... I own Union Atlases with similar straps and it really depends on your boot. With my Burton boot into had better luck centering it over my toe, so really it was more to the side . With my Salomon boot, I centered it over the boot itself. However, I still found it slipping off more than occasionally, which prompted me to get the Burton Gettagrips.

I heard the new SL line had stickier cap straps, so I hope that solved that problem.

Yeah this is my first experience with the "toe" strap style so was just making sure I wasn't missing anything.

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNION INHOUSE

You'll be stoked for sure. Thanks for the support!!!

Your most welcome brotha!! I haven't actually hit the slopes yet but I was playing around on my floor after mounting them and they feel like nothing is there yet Im super secure.. Compared to my last bindings these babies are super snug!! I can't wait to take them out..Oh...and they look BADASS too!!

DrEwTiMe · 02-28-2013, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNION INHOUSE

You'll be stoked for sure. Thanks for the support!!!

Dude, I just want to let you know that these bindings are UNBELIEVABLE!!!!! These bindings have just sold me on Union forever.

I took them out for the first time today and I can't believe how responsive yet flexible they are. I did about 70% of my riding in the park today and these bindings kicked absolute ass!!!!

The other 30% I was hard charging( wanted to see the true versatility) and these babies were still asking for more when I was done with those runs.

My buddy also got a new board today and went with the Cartel EST on his Nug board. I gave it a little test run and thank GOD I didn't go with those bindings, they have absolutely NOTHING on the SL's in terms of response, stability yet incorporating that torsional flex to enjoy in the park. He was actually kicking himself for not getting the SL's in woodgrain color.

So all and all, now that I have actually tried all 3 of the bindings originally in question.

UNION 100% HANDS DOWN!!

:thu mbsup:

crash77 · 03-01-2013, 09:18 PM

Didn't feel the need to start a new thread since it's a union question.

But can someone please list the union bindings in categories or order of stiffness. You know like what is in the all mtn, park, mid stiff, stiff, soft, etc.
The website doesn't help and I've been trying to figure them out while sifting through threads, but some of them seem so similar. It would be greatly appreciated.

02-20-2013, 11:41 AM	#45 (permalink)
East§ide Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 807 Blog Entries: 1	The SL's ankle strap looks considerably nicer than the ones that were on my old Forces. I just picked up a pair of Restricted Re:Flex Cartels and couldnt be happier. The toe caps are amazing, you cant even feel the asym ankle strap and the responsiveness is insane. __________________ Never Summer Evo 153/Restricted ReFlex Cartel Gnu Danny Kass 156 BTX

02-20-2013, 12:26 PM	#46 (permalink)
Mel M Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 116	Re: Choosing b/w Cartels/Union SL's/ Ride Maestro First, congrats on your SL. I'm about to put mine in an NS Raptor, so I'm about to be interested the same boat. As far as your cap strap question... I own Union Atlases with similar straps and it really depends on your boot. With my Burton boot into had better luck centering it over my toe, so really it was more to the side . With my Salomon boot, I centered it over the boot itself. However, I still found it slipping off more than occasionally, which prompted me to get the Burton Gettagrips. I heard the new SL line had stickier cap straps, so I hope that solved that problem.

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03-01-2013, 09:18 PM	#50 (permalink)
crash77 -LIFETIME MEMBER- Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Baltimore, MD Posts: 308	Didn't feel the need to start a new thread since it's a union question. But can someone please list the union bindings in categories or order of stiffness. You know like what is in the all mtn, park, mid stiff, stiff, soft, etc. The website doesn't help and I've been trying to figure them out while sifting through threads, but some of them seem so similar. It would be greatly appreciated.